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SWAN'S 

COUNTIfS OF NORTH-WfST MISSOURI. 



HOLT COUNTY, 

ITS SOIL, CLIMATE, 



AND THE 



ADVANTAGES IT OFFERS TO IMMIGRATION. 



THIS WORK WILL BE FOLLOWED BY SIMILAR 

PAMPHLETS, GIVING DESCRIPTIONS OF EACH 

OF 'THE COUNTIES IN NORTH-WEST 

MISSOURI. 



■4^ 



Price, in wrappers for mailing, 20 Cents. 

Address, A. M. SWAN, Oregon, Holt County, Mo. 



ST. JOSEPH, MO, : 

k PRINTED AT THE HERALD BOOK AND JOB PRINTING OFFICE, / 

1S69. J^ 




OVER THREE HUNDRED 

Families iu this City have within the last year purchased 
and used the 

FAMILY SEWING 

HAGHINi! 

And given it their unqualified recommendation. It has been tri- 
umphant in EVERY TEST iu competition with other-Machiues, and 
on every trial of work SUCCESISFULLY MAINTAINED ITS 
REPUTATION as the BEST FA.MILY MACHINE ottered to the 
public. 

THE LADIES LIKE IT BEST 

Because it is (xraeeful aud Beautiful, 

STEONG AND DURABLE, running with a smooth, even and reg- 
ular motion, not approached by any other. Because it will 

"Without perceptible fatigue to the operator, and for YEARS with- 
out perceptible wear or loss of accuracy on the Machines. 

Because it is More Nearly Noiseless 

Than any other reliable Machine ; and finall}', because it will Sew 

EVERY KIND OF MATERIAL 

Which can be penetrated by a straight needle, with 
EASE AND ACCURACY. 

IT WILL NEVER GET OUT OF ORDER, 

Even under the most unreasonable abuse. 



ISO. 06 I^^I^^\.]VCIS STXiElilT, 



,v\'i se. 



ST. JOSEPH, MO. 



Holt County, Mo. 



BOUNDARIES AND LOCATION. 

That Nestor of American Statesmen, Thomas H. Benton, 
while in the Senate of the United States, introduced, and secured 
the passage of a Bill, giving to the State of Missouri the Indian 
Reservation known as the Platte Purchase. 

Indians from time immemorial have been proverbial for select- 
ing choice locations for their reservations, and they were not defi- 
cient in their usual sagacity when they selected the district now 
comprised withm the boundaries of the counties of Platte, Buchanan, 
Andrew, Nodaway, Holt, and Atchison. 

Holt county was formed from a portion of the Platte Purchase, 
and is bounded on the North by Atchison and a portion of Nodaway 
counties ; on the East by Nodaway and Andrew counties ; on the 
South and West by the Missouri river. Its greatest breadth is 
twenty-two miles, and diminishes to a width of only about three 
miles at the South erd. Its greatest length is about thirty-eight 
miles. The Nodaway river on the Eastern boundary is navigable 
at some seasons of the year for flats and small steamers for a short 
distance above its mouth. The fortieth parallel of North latitude 
divides the county into nearly equal parts ; this parallel is also the 
dividing line between the States of Kansas and Nebraska, which 
lie just West of the Missouri river boundary of the count3\ Holt 

HOLT COUNTY SENTINEL. 

A Paper alike indispensable to the Citizen and the Immigrant. 

The best country paper in the Northwest.— iS^ Jo. Herald, October Uth, liSGS. 
One of the best looking sheets that comes to our office. — Hamburg (Iowa) Times, 
Angusl ^Ih. 

The Sbxtinel is an able and sprightly newspaper, and is doing .splendid work for 
Republicanism — Tivies, Sedalia, Mo., March -liith, iSGs. 

The Holt Couxty Sentinel is one of the neatest county papers published in Mis- 
souri. — Kirksville Journal, July -IM, 1868. 

The Holt County Sentinel is now the largest Radical paper in Northwest Missouri. 
It is also one of the best printed papers in the.State, and whilst we can honestly disagree 
with it politically, we award it the credit of being the best Radical paper in this upper 
country. — Savannah Union, July Sth. 

STitoscrlptions, : s s t t 0S OO a. year. 

Address, 

CHAS. W. BOWMAN, Editor and Publisher, 

OREGON, MO. 



2 



HOLT COUNTY. 



is in the second tier of counties counting from the North line of 
the State, and is consequently nearly in the extreme North-western 
portion of the State. In superficial area, the county contains about 
two hundred and sixty-eight thousand nine hundred and fifty acres, 
of which a considerable portion, (perhaps one-fifth,) is bottom. 

FACE OF' THE COUNTRY. 

There are few Western counties more diversified in their surface 
topography, than is Holt. The bottom lands of Missouri are as 
level as a parade ground. Standing upon any of the contiguous 
blutfs, the plain below is spread out like a map, before, you. The 
streams that wind through these bottoms, on their way to the Mis- 
souri, may be traced with the eye tljrough their serpentine courses, 
for miles ; while the distant Kansas and Nebraska bluffs form a 
suitable and truly magnificent back ground. In striking contrast 
with these immense level plateaus, are the precipitous, rugged and 
almost mountainous bluffs that bound them. These bluffs are 
sometimes so abrupt that a team, or indeed a man, may not scale 
them ; in other places the ascent is easy and gradual. Some of 
them are cut into all manner of fanciful shapes ; some are bald and 
bare ; some covered with a dense growth of oak, walnut and other 
deciduous trees. Back of these bluffs, until you reach the vicinity 
of the Nodaway river, the county is undulating, but not precipitous. 
Scarcely an acre is too steep for cultivation ; not an acre but has 
enough surface inclination to secure drainage. As you approach 
the Nodaway river, especially from the center of the count}' North 
and South, to the North line, there is a succession of gentle slopes, 
until you reach the level of the valley of that stream. These slopes 
give an effect to the scenery seldom equaled, and have been the 
inducing cause, almost as much as the wonderful fertility of the 
soil, in building up the thriving settlement known as Whig Valley. 

A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN. 

A NEW STORE IN A NEW TOWnTTs THE PLACE TO BUY 
GOODS ; CHEAPNESS, QUALITY AND STYLE CONSIDERED. 

CECI^IS. SUXJLTS, ^T CI^^IO-, 

Complies with those considerations. His stock is new, fuU and complete. He 
sells low. His well known business habit is to treat every)iody fairly. Before 
purchasing give him a call. The Spring trade will open with an extra Large 
Stock. C. SHULTS, CTR^AlGr, IVIO. 



iFOi^iBST oiT"^ nyi:iii.ii.s. 



Gr. C. & Gr. W. MAUCK, 



- Proprietors. 



Having, at great expense, procured first class Machinery, we would call the at- 
tention of the Public to our facilities for doing l<"irst Class Work. Distant 
orders promptly filled at the lowe-st Market rates. The highest 
CASH price paid for WHEAT. 

FOREST CITY, HOLT COUNTY, MO. 



HOLT COUNTY. 

STREAMS, SPRINGS AND LAKES. 

Springs of excellent water, are exceedingly abundant. There 

carcely a quarter section of upland in the county which is not 

)plied with one or more excellent, and never failing ,si>rings. — 

mg the foot of the Missouri River Bluffs, are several springs 

.t are seldom surpassed, either in purity, or volume of water dis- 

.rged. One of these, which breaks out from under a ledge of 

■estone rocks at Craig, on the St. Jo. & C. B. R. R., is conveyed 

pipes to the Railroad, where it is expected to supply the Station 

'Use, Tank, and a considerable portion of the town. Two miles 

uth of Oregon, at Mr. Wm. Banks', is a similar spring, which, 

with sufficient fall, would furnish power to run a small mill. Mill 

Creek, which rises near Oregon, within four miles of its fountain 

head famishes five mill sites, three of which are improved, with an 

abundance of water for all : the stream being fed entirely from 

springs. The water in these springs is mostly limestone ; and like 

all limestone water, is exceedingl}^ pure, sweet and palatable. The 

important streams are the Nodaway, Little Tarkio, Big Tarkio, 

Hickory Creek, Mill Creek, before alluded to, and Nich©ls, Davis 

and Kinsie Creeks. These streams are all sufficiently large for 

milling purposes. The Nodaway River affords a large 

number of very desirable mill sites ; only two of which have 

been improved. The Little Tarkio affords several fair mill sites, 

none of which have been improved. The Big Tarkio is one of the 

finest mill streams in the country ; and yet there are but two or 

three mills erected on it, in the county. Nichols Creek has one or 

two improved mill sites, and several others, as yet unimproved ; 

the same is also true of Hickory Creek. Altogether we are blessed 

with sufficient water power, to bring the county, ultimatel}', among 

the foremost manufacturing counties of Northwest Missouri. 

There are several small Lakes, or rather Bayous from the Mis- 
souri River, in the western portion of the county. These Lakes in 

OR^^IVT & SHEI^MIAIV HOUSE, 

CBAIG-, HOLT COUNTY, MO. 

♦— ♦— -♦ 

Is now open for the accommodation of the Public. Good fare at liberal rates is 
the rule. Stabling and Wagon Yards attached. 



ALSO, FOR SALE, A SMITH AND WAGON SHOP. 

This is one of the best openings for business in the West. A good man can make 

plenty of money. No competition for n^iles around. One full set Blacksmith 

tools inclnded. Address or apply to J. A. ORANGE, Irals, Holt Oo., .Mo. 

AMBROTYPE AND PHOTOGRAPH GALLERY, 

MR. & MBS. D. E. COTTRELL, Proprietors, 

OI^EO-Olsr, l^O. 

All styles of Pictures taken on reasonable terms. Satisfaction rendered or no 

charge. Persons desiring to procure Pictures will do well to call and 

examine specimens and prices. 



HOLT COUNTY. 



the fall and spring seasons, are the resort of immense flocks of 
Wild Geese, Swans and other migratory water fowls ; they also af- 
ford a constant supply of very excellent Fish. Quite extensive 
fisheries have already been established upon some of them, and 
more might profitably be. Besides the streams mentioned above, 
the county is well supplied with spring branches, that furnish an 
abundance of stock water throughout the upland portion of the 
count3^ From this it will be seen that we may reasonably apply 
to Holt count}^ the term "well-watered." The Bottom portion of 
the county is not so blessed with springs and brooks ; but water 
can be obtained everywhere by a few feet digging ; while the bayous 
and large streams that flow through it furnish abundance of stock 
water, within easy distance of every farmer's door, near enough to 
supply his stock. 

SOIL. 
There exist in Holt county three distinct classes of soils. 
About one-fifth of the county is what is known in the West as 
"bottom land," and consists of alluvial that has been deposited by 
the annual overflows of the Missouii. Of this bottom land there 
ai*e two varieties of soil : First, a silicious alluvial, intermixed with 
clay and humus, or vegetable mould. This is a peculiarly excel- 
lent soil, capable of producing immense crops of corn, hemp, to- 
bacco, &c. It is light, friable and easily worked ; withstands 
drouth remarkably well, and is but little injured by wet. The second 
variety is known, in our local nomenclature, as ^" gumbo land ; " 
and is a tenacious vegetable mold, that after being soaked with 
water, cracks in drying, and leaves a field lumpy and difficult to 
cultivate. This "gumbo," however, is very fertile ; and, as it lies 
over a strata of sand that can be reached, usually, within twelve 
to fifteen inches, only needs subsoilingto become the very best soil 
in the bottoms. 



BIGELOW HOUSE, 

WEST OF THE DEPOT, 

BIGELOW, HOLT CO., MO. 
ROBT. NOTLEY, ■ Prop'r. 

House kept in good style ; Wagon Yards 

and Stabling attached. .Scales for 

the accommodation of Stock 

Dealers and the Public 

generally. 



S. C. COI.LINS, 

REAL ESTATE AGENT. 

Promptly attends to the purchase and 
sale of Real Estate and the payment of 
Taxes. Having been 16 years County 
Surveyor, my facilities for doing busi- 
ness are unsurpassed. 

Oregon, Holt County, IVIo. 



CITY HOTEL, 

OREtJiOiV, HOLTCO., 10. 

DAVID FOSTER, Proprietor. 

Semi-Daily Omnibus line to Railroad. 

Tickets for sale at Post Office in Forest 
City and Oregon. 



Physician and Surgeon, 

MOUND CITY, MO. 



Professional calls promptly attended. 
Office at Glenn & Glenn's Store. 



HOLT COUNTT. 

* 'There are numerous shallow lakes in these bottoms, in which 
vast quantities of marly humus are accumulating, which will event- 
uall}^ become ver}^ valuable for the improvement of poor or ex- 
hausted soils." — Prof. Swallow. 

The first mentioned soil is modified, near the bluff's, by a de- 
posit of wash from them that forms what is sometimes called "bot- 
tom prairie." Some of these tracts commence near, but above, the 
foot of the bluff's, and have an inclination toward the river of about 
one foot in one hundred, and are considered the most desirable 
lands in the county at present.* 

Of these bottoms about one-half, or fifteen thousand acres, are 
subject to annual overflow, which will render them unfit for culti- 
vation until some system of drainage and protection from the an- 
nual flood shall be devised and put into operation. Much of this 
area, it is believed, could be reclaimed at a trifling expense. 

Immediately contiguous to these "bottom lands" is a geologi- 
cal formation that is said to be peculiar to Missouri and some por- 
tions of Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska that adjoin and lie along the 
IM issouri river. This is known as the "bluff" formation," and is 
characterized by Prof. Swallow in his Geological Report, as the 
"best of all soils." Usuall^^ bluffs are barren, covered but scan- 
tily with a thin and unproductive clay soil. Not so Holt county ; 
our bluffs are beds of marl varying from fifty to one hundred and 
fifty feet in depth, and of equal fertility from the surface to the 
bottom of the formation. These marl beds are perforated with 
orifices from the surface to the bottom, connecting with each other, 
and, in the language of Professor Swallow, "constitute the most 
thorough system of drainage imsigmahle." To illustrate the com- 
pleteness of this drainage, I will mention the fact that here ice is 
kept during summer in pits from ten to twenty feet deep, not even 
lined with boards, simply covered over, and yet is never troubled 
with water, and its own drippings, if any, are completely removed 

S. & R. C. WATSON, 

First door East of Saville & Reed's Drug,Store, OREGON, MO., 

DEALERS IN 

Dry Goods, Clothing, Glassware, Qneensware, 

AND ALL KINDS OF COUNTRY PRODUCE. 

OUE STOCK IS LARGE AND CABEFULLY SELECTED. 

After a Business acquaintance of 24: j'ears standing, during whicli he has never 
had to resort to legal measures to collect a debt, the Senior Partner 

tipaHk nr* inf.rodnr'.t.inn tn t.hA r»pm-»l«a nf TTr»lf r'rvnntxr 



needs no introduction to the people of Holt County. 

irture from the liberal principles which have heretofi 

ings. 

OIVK US ^ CALL BEHPORE I>XJRCHu4lSIN<3-. 



«®-No departure from the liberal principles which have heretofore character- 
ised our dealings. 



HOLT COUNTT. 

through these tubes and holes that nature has so liberally provided. 
This bluff formation is exceedingly light and mellow, and is full of 
all the elements required to sustain vegetable life. It is very fria- 
ble, and there is probably no soil on earth that, under the plow, be- 
comes more loose and mellow ; yet from its superior natural under- 
drainage it can be worked after a week's rain with but a few hours 
sunshine. I have seen plows running the first fair day after a three 
days' steady rain, and the ground was dry enough to work without 
detriment to the soil. To an Illinois or Indiana farmer, this may 
seem impossible ; but it is true, netertheless. Professor Swallow 
describes this soil as "a fine pulverulent, obsoletely stratified mass 
of light grayish buff silicons and slightly indurated marl, its color 
usually variegated with deeper brown stains of oxide of iron," 
These stains have much the appearance of having been caused by 
the expectoration of some salivous tobacco chewer. It is through 
these discolorations the orifices referred to above are found to pass. 
The discolorations are caused b}'- an impregnation of the marl with 
oxide of iron, alluminum, and carbonate of lime, while the walls of 
these tubes are composed of calcarious clay-ironstone. Professor 
Swallow says : "sustained by its absolutely inexhaustable fertilizing 
resources, rest the very best farms *** of the Missouri valley. 

Comparison of chemical analysis of this formation with the 
loess or bluff formation of the River Rhine, in Germany, establishes 
a striking coincidence in these widely separated formations. 

This bluff formation, from its organic structure and mechani- 
cal peculiarity, is, probably, the best fruit soil in the world. Here 
is drainage, the handiwork of the Creator, more perfect than man 
can ever devise. No need here of "tubular drains," "tile drains," 
"mole drains," or any other expensive and troublesome system for 
conveying off the surface moisture ; here it is all prepared before- 
hand, and more perfectly than human ingenuity can ever hope to 
prepare soil. This is our choicest fruit soil, and it is the best fruit 
soil I have ever seen. From its deep impregnation with oxides and 



RICHARDSON & PfilMMER, ■ ■ - Proprietors, 

FOREST CITY, HOLT COUNTY, MO., 

DEALERS IN 

Oak, Walnut & Cottonwood Lumber, Lath and Shingles, 

We are located on a switch of th6 St. Joseph and Council lUuffs Railroad, which 

gives us superior facilities for shipment of lumber. To the Towns north 

of us on the Railroad, we offer extra inducements. Our stock of 

Lumber is large and well assorted. 

{^Orders from a distance promptly filled. 



HOLT COUNTY. 

salts of iron, it is peculiarly well adapted to Pear culture. The 
success that attends the cultivation of that excellent fruit is re- 
markable. I have seen, frequently, Dwarf Pears ripen fruit the 
year they were taken from the nursery and transplanted to the or- 
chard, and they have continued in bearing without intermission.— 
Standard Pears frequently bear when five and six years old. Pears 
here are more hardy than apples. One tree on the premises of 
Wm. E. Hill, Esq., of Oregon, has borne fruit without intermission 
for seventeen years, and has never shown any indication of disease 
or been troubled with'any of the usual Pear tree pests. Some or- 
chards, where the soil has been enriched with animal manures, or 
been over-cultivated, have shown indications of leaf blight, but not 
to an extent sufficient to cause apprehensions on the part of Pear 
growers. For grapes this soil is believed to equal the soil of the 
Rhine in Germany, while, for wheat, corn and other cereals usually 
cultivated in this latitude, it is rarely surpassed. This soil has not 
heretofore received the attention it has deserved from our farmers. 
EecoUections of the barren points and unproductive knobs along 
the bluffs of Eastern streams, have deterred them from opening 
farms in the rough hills along the Missouri. Here and there, how- 
ever, a farmer has had the hardihood, or been driven by poverty, 
to open a farm among the hills, and to his own and the astonish- 
ment of his neighbors, not only lived, but grew rich from soil that 
all had joined in condemning as "too poor to sprout peas." Pres- 
ently they began to observe that in unpropitious seasons, here were 
the extraordinarily good crops, and that here were the orchards 
which never failed to bear huge crops. The day is coming when 
the bluff lands of Holt county will be the most sought after of any 
lands we have. To-day they may be purchased at merel^^ nominal 
prices. Frequently the timber with which they are covered will 
more than pay for the land and its own removal, leaving 
abundant material for fencing, for all necessary buildings and for 



DRY GOODS AND PRODUCE STORE. 



Having located at CORNING, I design doing a general Mercantile 
and Produce Business. 

The pubUc generaUy are informed that I am prepared to sell everything in my 
line at prices that defy competition. The highest market price paid for every 
description of Country Produce. M. A., DA^JNTItKIlS, 

CORNING, HOLT CO., MO. 

BOOT JLJSTID SHOE STOI^E, 
OREGON, HOLT COUNTY MO., 

CASTLE & LAHMER, - - - - Proprietors. 

A Large well selected Stock of Custom Made Work constantly on hand. 
-e^-Custom work done to order, in the neatesf, quickest and best manner. "=©81 



HOLT COTJNTT. 



the supply of fuel for all coming time. I could cite severat cases 
where men of nerve have bought tracts of this timbered bluff land 
and found that their sales of wood, rails and saAv-logs had paid for 
the land, supported their families while it was being cut off, and 
left them a net profit, sufficient to erect very decent buildings 
upon it. 

About one-fourth of the superficial area of the county is upland 
rolling prairie. Its soil is the usual black regetable mould, con- 
sisting of the accumulated debris of decayed vegetation, which for 
centuries has been piled, layer on layer, until it has reached a 
depth of two or three feet. In this county the vegetable mould of 
the prairie rests on the rich marls of the bluff formation. The re- 
sult is an absolutely inexhaustable soil. The prairie soil is not a 
good wheat soil without the addition of some fertilizer rich in silex. 
The mould is too rich and fat for small grain. I do not Avish to be 
understood as asserting that the small grains do not succeed in 
Holt county ; on the contrary, I have sufficient evidence that as 
high as forty bushels of wheat have been produced per acre quite 
frequently, and that our estimated average yield of small grains 
is fully equal to the average of most >vestern counties. Still, wheat 
does not succeed so well as upon a poorer and more silicious soil. 
Corn is the staple crop, and yields as well as in any country 
on earth. I feel entirely safe in placing the average 3'ield per acre, 
one year with another, at not less than fifty bushels, while, with 
superior cultivation one hundred bushels may easil}^ be obtained in 
any ordinarily propitious season. Barley, rye and oats do reason- 
ably well so far as they have been cultivated. Sorghum succeeds 
most admirably. Our soil is well adapted to the productions of the 
entire list of garden vegetables. Potatoes are especially fine ; in- 
deed, in size and flavor I have nowhere seen them surpassed. The 
yield, with proper cultivation, will probably reach an average of 



EUREKA. 



J. S. IFULXjEI?/, 

Has opened a Saloon at CRAIG, under 
the above name. He invites his friends 
to come and 'take a smile.' 'Good wine 
needs no bush.' 



CITlir HOTEL, 

FOREST CITY, MO. 

J. B. STEELE, - Proprietor, 

(FORMERLY FROM INDIANA.) 

This House, formerly the Farmers', 
has recently changed hands. la now 
kept in good style, give good fare, good 
beds and good treatment at rpasonable 
rates. Ample stabling and wagon yaitls 
attached. 



r. M. DAVIS, 

Eeal Estate Agent, Surveyor, 

AND ROAD COMMISSIONER. 
Office, Court House, Oregon, HoltCo., Mo. 



Will pay Taxes, examine and perfect 
Titles. Wild Lands for sale. 



FOR SALE AT A BARGAIN. 

The S. W. ]4. of Sec. 30, Township 03 R.3S, 
being 163 acres of choice upland Prairie, 
being si.^ miles East of Craig. There Is 
good living water on the premises. This 
land lies near a large body of choice 
timber.! 

Title perfect. Price until June 1st, 1S69 
?7 per acre. Address or apply to 
WM. RASKINS, Counfy Treasurer, 
Oregon, Holt Co., Mo. 



HOLT COUNTY. 

one hundred and fifty bushels per acre, and when it is remembered 
that c n account of our contiguit}' to excellent markets they have 
sold for a number of jears past at prices never less than foity cents, 
and from that to two dollars per bushel, it will be seen thatpotatoe 
culture is exceedingly profitable with us. 

ADAPTABILITY TO STOCK RAISI^JG. 

As yet there is considerable range lor stock on onr upland 
prairies, which are covered with a most excelient and highly nutri- 
tious wild grass. This range will not last long : already the prai- 
rie plow is turning it under, and before many years there will be no 
vacant prairie in the county. In the bottom-, however, there is 
range for stock that will last longer. The low grounds snbjt^ct to 
annual overflow, and the margins of the bayous and lakes will fur-- 
nish//-ee paj-turage for a long time to come for an immense number 
of cattle. Portions of our bluff lands where too precipitous fur cul- 
tivation will yield pasturage to no inconsiderable amount. The 
tame grasses can scarcely be said to have been tried here as yet. 
— only 775 tons of tame hay being reported to the Assessor for the 
present year. Timothy has been cultivated in a few instances, and 
does well, (lover on bluff land does well also, but in the prairies 
the soil is thought to be too loose and friable for it to succeed. 
It is said, however, by Eastern farmers that it only needs to be 
well robed after being sown to make it succeed Dairy farming 
here would be exceedingly profitable. At this writing poor coun- 
try-made butter — some of it half lard — is seHing at forty cents per 
pound and is difficult to obtain, even at that- exhorbitant rate. 

Horses do not do W( U with us. The reason may be lack of 
comfortable stables and tame pasture, as some have asserted ; or it 
may be in our climate : whatever the cause, one thino- is due to 
truth, horses are exceedingly liable, to disease here — especially 
'^' big head" or "stiff complaint." Mules do better; indeed, they 



Saloon and Billiard Hall, 

IPOREST OIX^^, MO., 

WILLIS & ELLISTON, Proprietors. 



King's Saloon and Eestaurant, 
FOEEST CITY, MO. 

WARM MEALS AT ALL HOURS. 



Kiug is an old hand at the business and 
A iBt Class Billiard Table, Pure Liquors ! knows how to get up a good square 
,„,_,. meal. Bar supplied with the 

and Good Cigars. best of Liquoia. 

FOREST CITY, ... - MISSOURI, 

Dealers in Drugs, Medicines, Paints and Oils, 

FINE TOILET SOAPS, PERFUMERY, PURE WINES, LIQUORS & DYE STUFFS 

Our Stock of Medicines is complete, warranted genuine and of the best quality. 

2 



10 HOLT COUNTY. 

are as health^' as the farmer can ask, and are most usually found 
coniposinij his team. 

Sheep have had but little attention. One gentleman, Mr, Ful- 
ton, has a small Hock of fine merinoes ; and others may have small 
flocks of other improved breeds. jMr. Fulton informs me that his 
flock has done remarkably well, has been very free from disease, 
and that in his opiiiion there is no better sheep country on earth 
than Holt county. One thing is certain, our Nebraska neighbors 
have found it to pay with them, and I see no reason why sheep 
farming would not succeed equally well in Holt county. 

Hogs are extensively raised here, and have been remar-kably 
free from disease. Nearly all the irnpi'ove 1 breeds have been in- 
troduced by some one or other of our enterprising fanners. Mr. 
W. A. ]McKoy, of the firm of Collins & McKoy, has purchased 
hogs the present season for shipment. There have been 
several other buyers in the county, all of whom have bought large 
lots. From this it will be seen that hog raising must be consid- 
ered remunerative by our farmers. 

ADAPTABILITY TO FRUIT RAISING. 

Fruit raising and orcharding must ultimately become the lead- 
ing business in Holt county. Her geographical and isothermal po- 
sition, as well as the peculiar adaptability of her soil to the pro- 
duction of fruits must insure this result. North, Northwest and 
West lies an immense fertile and soon to be populous country, that, 
from its lack of protecting timber belts and low average tempera- 
ture, can never supply its own demand for any but a very few of 
the most hardy fruits. That country will depend upon Missouri for 
its supply, and fortunately for us, ours is the first fru't producing 
county they will strike when coming to Missouri for their supply. 
The magnitude of our fruit trade, in the future, will become appa- 
rent to any one who is aware of the amount of the present demand 



W. H. WILLIAMS & CO., 

Dealers in Stoves, Castings and Hardware, 

. MANUFACTURERS OP 

TIN, COPPER AND SHEET IRON WARE, 

FOREST CITY, MO. 

Keep constantly on liand a complete assortment of 

COOKING, HEATING AND PARLOR STOVES, 

Of the Latest Patterns ; also a full line of shelf 

Hardware, Table and Pocket Cutlery, Cooking Utensils, &g. 

whicli they offer at wholesale and retail at tlie lowest cash rates. Call and see. 



HOLT COUNTT. 



11 



and supply, I have conntinl twenty wagons in one day passing 
tln-ough a principal street in one of our towns, all loaded with Holt 
county apples, pears, grapes and peaches, which were on their nay 
to their market on the bleak prairies of Iowa, Nebraska and Kan- 
sas. Applets are here a sure crop, and how remunerative my read- 
ers may judge when I give them as data for their estimate the fact 
that from one to two dollars per bushel has been the minimum and 
maximum of prices for the past five years ; the average being about 
one dollar and fifty cents per bushel. Api)les, as I remarked above, 
are a sure crop ; I do not liesitate to saj^ as certain one year with 
another as any other crop. They are, moreover, superior in quality 
to a most extraordinary degree. I hear it frequently remarked by 
Eastern men that varieties with which they have been entirely fa- 
miliar East, are here so much superior in size and flavor that they 
no longer are able to recognise them as the fruit they knew at 
home. Our citizens are entirely aware of the adaptability of our 
soil and climate for the production of the standard fruits, and are 
planting orchards at a rate that astonishes our visitors. One gen- 
tleman, Mr. Jabez Beaumont, the past season planted one hundred 
acres of orchard ; othei- gentlemen have planted from ten to forty 
acres, while nearly every farmer is planting trees by the hundred, 
and not unfrequently bj' the thousand. 

Peaches are not a sure crop ; the same is true of cherries. 
The former will be successful, say, one crop in four or five ; the lat- 
ter does not seem to take kindly to our soil ; though some varieties 
are tolerably successful. Orapes, especially the Concord, are suc- 
cessful, and are being cultivated to a considerable extent. Cataw- 
bas do as well here as almost anywhere else ; but result* have not 
been such, with them, as to give much encouragement for their cul- 
ture. Several other varieties do well. All the small fruits have 
been pronounced successful with our HorticulturLsts. But there 
are other localities where fruit culture is entirely successful ! True. 



H. G. SCHULTE, 

North Side Public Square, Oregon, Mo. 

The largest and best selected stock of 
Staple and F'ancy Groceries, Pocketand 
Table Cutlery. Flour and Meal. 

«®^Dealer in all kinds of Produce. 



H. I. LAMB, 
WATCHES km JEWELRY 



^Sj«s«i^j West side Pub. Square 
Oregon, ]Mo. 

<e3^AI1 work warranted. 



DR. G M. EDSON, 
IDISlNrTIST, 

OFFICE AT RESIDENCE 

OREGON, - MISSOURI. 



PRICE HOUSE, 

PETER PEICE, - Proprietor, 

West Side Public Square, 

OREGON, - MISSOURI. 



12 HOLT COUNTY. 

Bat where will 3'ou find the adaptability of soil and climate united 
with so greedy and convenient a market? Our facilities for reach- 
ing our markets are good. We have the Missouri River vy ashing 
our shores for thirty or forty miles. vVe have the * ouncil Bhitfs 
and St. Joseph liaih'oad connecting us with the Union Pacific, and 
other roads in contemphitiou leading northward into 'Iowa, and 
from St. Joseph — with which we are now connected — westward to 
Western Kansas and Colorado- We have an immense acreage of 
land suitable for orchards, waiting to be planted, and that orchards 
planted upon it will be as remunerative as our present orchards 
when brought into bearing, we feel entirely confident; we have no 
fear that the market will ever be overstocked, and cordially invite 
all who will to come and plant them an orchard, and set them up a 
Wiue Press ; to each we will ensure a welcome. 

DROUTHS. 

I am aware that in many portions of the East, Western Mis- 
souri, from the Northern to the Southern Boundary, is supposed, 
like Kansas and Nebraska, to be subject to terrible drouths, that 
entirely destroy growing crops, and induce much suffering. No 
idea can be more mistaken. We must admit that the drouth comes, 
but, strange as it may seem, not the destruction of the cr ;ps in con- 
sfqaence. The past season was exceedingly dry for weeks, during 
the season when corn was being ploughed and tasseling, no rain 
fell, and our Kansas neighbors sutfered terribly. Here, notwith- 
standing the extreme dry weather, we hnd good corn crops. In 
1860, it will be rememljered, Kansas and Southwestern Missouri 
were visited with a drouth that induced famine. Holt county — 
indeed all the counties of the Platte Purchase — were subject to the 
same lack of rain, but produced more than enough corn for home 
eonsumptiou. That year Mr. David Foster, near Oregon, planted 
corn that was not rained upon from the time it was planted until 



G-A.:Ee.i^j:]n^TEi^ &c btjiuidei^. 



B. F. LESLEY, FOREST CITY, MO 

sh plans, specific tions and material If desired, and do all \^ 
n the neatest, most exepditlous and most workman like ms 

Is prepared to do work in all parts of the county. 



C. L. ANDERSON, - - Proprietor, 

At Oregon Station on St. Joe. and Council Bluffs R. R. 2 miles south of Oregon. 

Keeps constantly on hand ii large stock of Oak. Walnut and Cottonwood Lum- 
ber. I'rices uk low as any other Mill in the country. 

Orders from all quarters promptly filled. 



HOLT COUNTY, 13 

after it was in roasting ear, aiid yet he harvested more than an aver- 
age half crop of corn. Oar farmers assert that with one good rain 
in May or June, and a light rain in August, they can make full av- 
erage crops, , although not another drop of rain falls. I am aware 
that this will seem to Eastern men an exaggeration. I know the 
same drouth that would leave Eastern States desolate would not 
be noticed hei'e ; I also know that the facts are as I have sta- 
ted them, and every farmer who has lived one year in the county 
will bear me out in the statement. It will be difficult to- find, any- 
where, a soil so capable of resisting the extremes of moisture as 
that of the counties of the Platte Purchase. In some of the West- 
ern States, every few seasons, wet weather comes in to destroy the 
harvests of the farmer. We are equally able to laugh at "wet sea- 
sons" as at dry — for our soil is so porous that whenever the rain 
ceases to fall, even for a few hours, we can start the plow. 

HEALTH, CLIMATE, &c. 

No climate, or country, can much exceed ours in healthfulness, 
if we except the River bottoms where malarious diseases do, and 
probably alwa^^s will, prevail to a greater or lesser extent. Our 
atmosphere is pure, dry and invigorating. Pulmonary diseases are 
almost unknown ; indeed it is doubtful whether a genuine case of 
pulmonary- consumption ever originated here. 

The average mean temperature at Oregon, our county seat, is 
about 52° Fah. ; the mercury seldom falling below 0. High winds 
are prevalent during the fall and winter, principally from a West- 
erly direction. During the hot season an almost constant South 
wind blows, which is exceedingly agreeable. Altogether our cli- 
mate is as good as can be found any whei'e in this latitude between 
the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. 

There is one peculiarity of oar atmosphere to which may be 
attributed, in some extent, our success in fruit -culture ; its extreme 

Hou.selieepei's A-ttention I 



A GOOD COOKING STOVE will PEEVEUT PAMILY BROILS 



N. E. corner Public Sqnare, Oregon, Mo. 

Is the only Agent in this county for the celebrated BECK & WRIGHT COOKING 

STOVES, which are universally conceded to be the best in use. 

Keeps constantly on hand all the best styles in 

COOKING AND HEATING STOVES! 

Also maQufactures every variety of Sheet Iron, Tin and Copperware. 

Especial at ention paid to the putting up of Eavetrough and Guttering on an 

improved plan which is mucti more durable and substantial than the old 

" strap tin " style. 



14 



HOLT COUNTY. 



aridity renders the frosts of the latter weeks of spring comparatively 
harmless. Last spring we had a heavy frost, and considerable ice 
was formed while peach trees were in full bloom, and persons unac- 
quainted with our climate were mourning over our ruined fruit pros- 
pects. Last fall we had an abundant crop of peaches, the late frost 
had scarcely thinned them. It has been remarked that "generally, 
when the temperature is in condition to produce frost here ever}'- 
thing is dry enough to crack to pieces." The result of this pecu- 
liarity of our climate may be seen in the almost absolute certainty 
of our apple and pear crops. 

MARKETS. 

Our geographical position renders us peculiarly fortunate in 
regard to market facilities. The Missouri Eiver attbi'ds us ready 
and cheap transportation to the markets of the South. The St. Jo- 
seph and Council Bluffs Eailroad, connecting St. Louis and Omaha, 
opens to us the markets of the great plains and the mining territo- 
ries West of the Eocky Mountains. Usually our Western is our 
best market, but we are so situated that we can avail ourselves 
readily of either Western, Eastern or Southern demands for our 
products. St. Joseph, one of the most thriving and enterprising 
cities in the West, is within three hours by rail of the extreme 
Northern portion of Holt county, and is the'distributing depot for 
most of our surplus products, as well as the point at which our re- 
tail dealers obtain most of their supplies. Produce of all kinds has 
not unfrequently commanded double the price at St. Joseph of 
Chicago quotations for the same days. The re.-' son being that St. 
Joseph has been, and still is, largely engaged in the Mountain 
trade. At no time during the past five j'ears have the cereals rated 
so low he ye as on the Mississippi and Western Lakes. Thus, while 
we raise as large crops as any portion of the West we always get a 
little higher price for them than our neighbors further East. 



inxji^isriT"cr:R.E i 



FOR BARGAINS 

IN 




FURNITURE 



-GO TO- 



FOREST CITY, MO. 

They keep the only complete stock in the county. 



HOLT COUNTY. 



15 



SOCIETY. 

I am aware that many persons East are afraid to venture into 
Missouri, lest the society should not prove congenial. Especially 
is this true since the close of the war ; man}^ persons supposing that 
we are still in a condition of anarch}', and that life and property 
are held by a somewhat precarious tenure. No idea could be more 
erroneous. Holt county, from its contiguity to Iowa, Nebraska 
and Kansas, was scai'cel}^ visited by the contending parties, and is 
now, and since the spring of 1865, has been as safe as any portion 
of Illinois ; indeed, there is more safety to person and property, 
and I might add more loyalty in the county than in some portions 
of that State. By reference to the paragraph on "Churches and 
Schools," in another portion of this pamphlet, it will be observed 
that our citizens take a lively interest in i*eligion and education. — 
We are about as far from heathenism as the people of any other 
portion of the West ; have good schools ; an educated clergy ; library 
associations, and all the usual adjuncts of good society — and why 
should we not have? Five-sixths of our population are from the 
older States, more than three-fifths from the enlightened North and 
East. The population is not an old and etfete one. It is composed 
of the energy, the enterprise and the intelligence, to no inconsider- 
able extent, of the East. Shiftless men — men of no enero-y — sel- 
dom emigrate. They are content with the sterile fields their fath- 
ers ploughed. The vim and go-aheadatlveness of the older States 
is not contented with the old ways ; they seek new homes where 
by the labor of their own hands, aided and directed l)y their own 
intelligence, fortunes may be carved out, honors and positions won. 
Of this class is Holt county largely composed. This class, of itself, 
is good society. We have it ; hence we have no hesitancy in as- 
serting that we have good society. 



FARM FOR SALE. 

situated on the line of the St. Joseph 
and Council Bluffs Kailroad, contain- 
ing ■350 acres, 125 in cultivation. Good 
bearing; Orchard, new buildings, 100 
acres timber, balance prnirie. 
Prioe, ^8,000. 
Apply on premises, 4 miles from Forest 
City, or address 

A. GILLFILLAN, Forest City, Mo. 



HORACE COOPER, 

ATTORNEY AT LAW, 

— AND— 
NOT A.TZ\r IPUBLIC, 

Oregon, Holt Coimtv, Mo. 



LOOK OUT FOR NEW STYLES ! WE HAVE GOT THEM ! 



MURPHY & LAHMER, OREGON, MO., 

MERCHANT TAILORING ESTABLISHMENT. 

The Cheapest and Best stoclj in the County. Suits made to order on short 
notice, and in the most stylish and best manner A]l work warranted. Call and 
see us. Our stock is not surpassed west of St. Louis. 



16 HOLT COUNTY. 

MILLS AND MANUFACTORIES. 

One of our great needs in this county is good flouring mills. 
We have, at present, but five in the county to supply' our popula- 
tion of over ten thousand. Three of these are small but first class 
mills, two second class. There are ten or twelve saw mills in the 
county which find no diflSculty in disposing of all the lumber they 
are capable of cutting. As nearly one-third of our county's area is 
timbered, and no inconsiderable portion covered with a dense 
growth of Cottonwood, walnut and oak of the finest quality, they 
have no difliculty in obtaining an ample supply of logs. We have 
one Woollen Manufactory which turns out a good article of cloth, 
but in too limited a quantity to supply more than a moiety of the 
demand. We need more mills and manufactories of all kinds. An 
agricultural implement manufactory is especially needed, and thei*e 
can be no doubt that it would prove, if properly managed, highly 
remunerative. We have good timber and fine water power to sup- 
ply a large number of manufactories. 

COAL. 

Protessor Swallow in his Geological report, assigns to Holt 
county a position in the coal measures of Missouri, and expresses 
the opinion that all the workable coal beds of the State may be 
found here. No workable coal veins, however, have as yet been 
discovered, although at several points in the cuunty there are sur- 
face indications which would seem to promise favorable results to 
the prospector. The readiness with which wood for fuel has here- 
tofore been obtained has retarded the investigation of our coal 
fields. 

BUILDING MATERIALS, FENCING, dec. 

There is an abundance of excellent limestone suitable for 
building purposes in every upland township in the county. This 



J. A. DEMUTH. L. M. KAULL. 

DEMUTH & KAULL, 

Manufacturers and Dealers in 



Wagons, Carriages, Buggies and Sleighs 

NOBLE'S PATENT SULKEY CULTIVATORS, 
Double and Single Shovel Plows, (Iron and Wooden Stocks,) 

Double and Single Harrows, Field Rollers, Stalk Cuttei's, Wheel- 
barrows, Eoad Scrapers, &c , &c. 
We have on hand a large, select lot of White and Burr Oak 
Lumber which enables us to put up first class work. 

Special attention paid to the repairing of all kind of Mill and 
Farm Machinery. 

Laclede Coal for sale by the ton or car load. 

FOREST CITY, HOLT COUNTY, MO. 



HOLT COUNTY, 



17 



stone has been tested, and is proven lo be dnrable and easily work- 
ed. Our clan's suitable for briclx, are not abundant, although at 
several points in the county a fair article of briciv has been pro- 
duced. Brick yards are much needed in the county, and would pay 
well at any of our towns or villages. F'or fencing, rails are mostly 
used, although since the completon of the St. Joseph & Council 
Bluffb Eailroad through the county, pine fencing is being infro- 
dnced, and is sold at prices which induce its use to some extent. 
Osage Orange Hedges are being tried, and promise to succeed well 
if care is taken to protect them from tlie gopher. Cottonwood and 
oak lumber is cheap and abundant, and is much used for fencing, 
out-buildings, &c. Pine or walnut lumber is usually obtaiued tor 
residences and business houses. ^Vahuit is abundant and cheap, 
and pine sells at a fair price along the Railroad. 

PRICES OF REAL ESTATE. 

Improved farms have advanced in value very much within the 
past year, owing principally to the completion of o'jr iiaihoad. Im- 
proved farms sell at prices ranging from fifteen to sixty dollars 
per acre, the latter pi'ice being for well improved farms eligil)ly 
located, and containing good bearing orchards of choice fruit. The 
average price would probably not much exceed twenty dollars per 
acre for fair western improvements. Unimproved land can be ob- 
tained at prices ranging at from four to thirty dollars, according to 
character and location. There is in the Northern and Eastern por- 
tions of the county a large body of comparatively unsettled prairie 
land, as good soil, and as well watered as could be desired, that is 
held at about seven dollars per acre for those tracts most easily 
accessible to Limber, and from that graduating downward to the 
minimum price of about four dollars per acre. These lands are 
most generally owned b.y non-residents, but are almost universally 
in the hands of Holt lonnty Agents, for sale. The titles in almost 



SAVILLE & REED, 



Successors to IRA PETER. Dealers in 



DRUGS,CHEMICALS 



PATENT MEDICINES, 

Paints Oils, Varnishes and Dye Stuffs, 

Pure Wines and Liquors, Toilet and 

P'ancy Ai tides, Stationery, &c. 

Norib Side Public Squarr, OREGON, MO. 

Fhysiciaos' Prescript'ons carefully prepared. Countrj 
Physiciaos' orders filled at reasonable rates. 



JAMElS W. GREEN, 
MERCHANT TAILOR, 

OliKO^ON, ]MO. 

West side Public Square, Cloths, Ready 
Made Clothing and Gents' Furnishing 
Goods, all of the latest styles which I 
will sell cheaper than any other house 
in town. Particular attention paid to 
cutting. All work warranted. 

Mr. G. can cut and make a coat better 
than any other man in Holt County. 
SlOO backs this opinion. 

f 3 



18 HOLT COUNTY. 

every case, are perfect. For fuller information in regard to Holt 
County lands, reference may be had to any of the Real Estate dea- 
lers, vvhcse cards appear in this pamphlet. 

TOWiNS AND VILLAGES. 
OREGON. 

Oregon is the Seat of Justice or County Town of Holt 
County. It contains, accoiding to the report of the Countj^ Assesor 
— who, under our Statutes must take the census every tenth year — 
17! 5 iiihaliitants. Oregon is the largest town in the county, and is 
noted for thf beauty of its location. It contains seven ; ry Goods 
Stores, two Drug Stores, two Grocery Stores, one Hardware Store, 
one Tin and Stove Store, one Bout and Sho • Store, two Merchant 
Tailors, one onfectionery Store, oi e Jeweler, two Hotels, three 
>iillinery Stores, one Saloon, one Billiard Hall without bar, six 
Physicians, eight Attorneys, four Real Estate Dealers, one firm of 
Brokers, one Dentist, one Photograph Ga lery, one Butcher, two 
Wagon Makers, five Blacksmith Shops, two Cabinet Makers, two 
Shoe-maker Shops, one B:irber Shop, two Harness Makers 5 and a 
number of skillful Mechanics of various "trades. 

The I 'ublic Buildings are a very fair Court House, built of 
brick, two stories high, containing a large Court room and rooms 
for the various County Offices, The Court House is surrounded by 
a small but exceedingl}^ fine Park, which is enclosed, and contains 
over lort}^ varieties of native trees and evergreens. This Park is the 
pride of the town, and is well worthy to be proud of, as there is not 
such another in North-west Missouri. The other public buildings 
are a commodious Brick School House, containing four large school 
rooms; four Church Edifices, and a Masonic and Odd Fellows Hall. 
The First Presbyterian Church is a neat brick edifice of a plain and 
unpretending style of architecture. The Methodists have just erect- 



UNION HOUSE, 

Second Sti-eet, North St. Joseph,- 

0. HAKTZELL, Proprietor, 

Good Stabling \yagon and Stock Yards. 
Prices Liberal. Accommodations Good. 



WM. DEUMHILLER, 
AUCTIONEER 

AND 

Commission Merchant, 

' ST. JOSEPH, MO. 



T. W. PARKER. J- C. HEDENBERG. 

PARKER & HEDENBERG, 

NO. 107 FELIX STREET, ST. JOSEPH, MO. 

General United States Claiin, Real Estate and Collecting Ai^eucy. Also, Solicit- 
ors of Patents jr3"Send for Pamphlet. 
» 



HOLT COUNTY. 19 

ed — have not yet entirely completed — a large and elegant building 
for their congregation ; which, when completed, will be the finest 
Church building in the county. The German Methodists h;ive a 
small but fine looking and substantial Erick Church aatl Pai'sonage. 
The Baptists and Relbrni'-rs are also the joint owners of a plain liut 
commodious and suhstantial Brick House of wors'iip. 

Masonic Hall and Odd Fellows Hall occupy each one-lia!i oi 
the third story of an elegant iJi'ick Block, known as Masonic Block, 
the first floor of which Is occupied by Stores, and the second by 
business offices. ^ 

Oregon has good District Schools a considerable portion of 
the year, and private Schools during the remainder. Also one 
Private Select School, which is under superior management. Here 
also are located the grounds of the Hult I'ounty Agric dtural and 
Mechanical Association. The grounds contain ten acres, and are 
enclosed by a substantial pine close fence; and when put in order, 
will doubtless be one of the most attractive Fair Grounds in the 
North-west. 

Oregon is noted for the great number of fruit trees, with which 
almost every private enclosure is filletl, giving it the appearance of 
being builded in an orchard. Tlxis gives the town a peculiarly at- 
tractive appearance. 

The trade of Oregon is considerable, and constant] 3^ increasing. 
Although located two miles from the Railroad, it will soon have an 
almost level road connecting it with Mackoy's Elevator, on the 
Railroad, when its facilities for trade will be greatly increased. 
This Elevator, which is now being erected, is the first one ever 
erected in North-west Missouri. It has a shellei' -capable of shell- 
ing 1,500 bushels of corn daily ; will have storage capacity when 
completed, for the storage of 25,000 bushels of grain The E^ngine 
which drives the machinery is of 25 horse power, and is a superior 



Or. G. IF'OK.E.^^, 

Wholesale and Retail Dealer in 

AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS 

lield and Garden Seeds, Stoves and Tinware, 

No. 7 Second Street, ST. JOSEPH, MO. 

First dooi" North of Penick & Loving's Drug Store. 
_j e [ 



20 HOLT COUNTY. 

piece of machinery. The arrangements for guarding against fire, 
will be very complete, there being reservoirs for holding an ample 
supply of water, and one double self-acting force pump to pn^ject 
a stream over the building. In connection with tlie ii,levuLor is a 
Burr for crackinjj corn for hog i'e^d ; and yards for the the fattening 
of 4,U0U head of hogs annually, Tliis Elevator, though two miles 
distant from Oregon, is emphatically an Oregon enterprise, and 
therefore is inserted here. 

The society of Oregon is good, better tiideed than in the aver- 
ao'e of Western LoWns. For healthfuln^ss, it cannot be surpassed. 
The water is good and abundant. Property held at reasonable 
rates, though rents are somewhat high, owing to the scarcity of 
tenement houses. Some man of capital would find it an exceed- 
ingly profitable enterprise to erect a number of cheap but comfort- 
able houses to rent. Before dismissing Oregon, 1 must not fail to 
mention the 

HOLT COUNTY SENTINEL. 

Which is published here by C. W, Bowman, Esq. The Sentinel 
is a twentj'-eigbt column Weekly, full to repletion of interesting 
local and general matter, and is a most excellent medium through 
which persons so desiring may become acquainted with the county. 
Tiie Sentinel is one of the neatest papers in its mechanical execu- 
tion, in Missouri, and deserves the very liberal patronage it is re- 
ceiving. Persons at a distance who desire to know more of the 
County, will do well to send for it. Its circulation is large, and it 
is novv the only paper published in the County. Its advertising 
card will be found on the first page of this Pamphlet. 

The citizens 'of Oregon have just organized a Library Associa- 
tion and Historical Society. Funds have been raised to purchase 
Books enough to form the nucleus of a Library, and the organiza- 
tion is so far completed as to ensure its permanency and success. 



BIGELOW LOTS FOR SALE. 

Bigelow is one of the most promising new Towns on the Saint 

Joseph and Council Bluffs Eailroad. Now is the time to buy lots. 

1^ Persons who want to locate and improve lots are invited to 

apply to 

J. I. BOSTWICK, Bigelow, Holt Co., Mo. 

J. -W. STRONG. JEFF. CHANDLER. 

STRONG & CHANDLER, 

ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW, 

NO. 107 FELIX STREET, ST. JOSEPH, MO. 

Will practice in all the Courts of the 12th Judicial Circuit. 

_ « 



HOLT COUNTY. 



21 



The Historical Societ}' will devote especial attention to the 
collection of facts and incidents in the earl}' history of Holt County 
and North-west Missouri, while not neglecting every thing pertain- 
ing to the history of our State, which it may be able to obtain. 

The Masons have fine working Lodges in the several degrees 
of that Order, up to the Royal Arch Degree, and own their spacious 
and elegant Hall. 

The Odd Fellows also have an efficient working organization, 
and have a well furnished and spacious Hall in Masonic Block, 
which they own. 

FOREST CITY. 

The Author is indebted to Geo. Weber, Esq., Post Master at 
Forest ( ity, for the following description of that enterprising town 
■in importance and population in the county : 

In the year 1857 a company of enterprising gentlemen pur- 
chased a tract of land on the west boundary of Holt County, ad- 
joining the Missouri river, for the purpose of laying out a town 
site. Eoads were already in existence leading from the point se- 
lected in all directions and to every important settlement in the 
county. These roads in connection with the Missouri river which 
here aftbrded agood landing, lead the company to expect that their 
town once started would soon control a large portion of the produce 
trade of the county. With this view the tract of land was surveyed 
and the first lot sale took place on the 15th day of May, 1857. 
Forest City was in existence — stores and dwellings sprung up rap- 
idly, and the expectations of the company were more than realized. 
Forest City became at once the mart for the principal part of the 
produce of the county. Hundreds of waggons brought in the hemp 
and corn raised in every neighborhood, and no obstacle seemed 
likely to prevent Forest City from becoming one of the leading 
trading points in North West Missouri. The rebellion broke out ; 



BENDER & MAEKLE, 
REAL ESTATE BROKERS. 

Lands for sale in Holt and Atchison 
Counties. 



DR. HIRAM JONES, 
MOUND CITY, MO., 

PHYSICIAN. 

Professional calls promptly attended. 



H. R. W. HARTWIG & CO., 

Rectifiers, Distillers, and Wholesale Dealers in 

NO. 36 Third Street, ST. JOSEPH, MO. 



22 ¥OLT eOUNTT. 

it had here as everywhere else where it was a reality, a blighting 
effect ; it had this effect on Forest City. Two fifths of the original 
inhabitants of Holt county were in sympathy with the rebellion, 
the most of these left the county (luring that period but few of whom 
have ever returned ; Tvhilst the majority of the able bodied Union 
men were enlisted in the Union armies. Agriculture was neglected 
— trade was nominal ; and as the county did not improve, certainly 
the towns could not prosper. But the war ended, trade slowly re- 
vived and Forest City began to resume her old place in the trade. 
Now the railroad from St. Joseph to Council Bluffs is completed 
running through Forest City, and has opened for us and brought 
us in connection with two of the best markets in the United States, 
during every season of the year : further, it has opened for us the 
Great West. 

Hemp has been exchanged for grain, pork and cattle, and 
where in former years one firm doing business here bought and 
sold two hundred tons of hemp in one year, now, during the past 
year one hundred and fifty thousand bushels of grain and over five 
thousand hogs have been shipped North, South and West from this 
point. 

Forest City contains at present between six and seven hundred 
inhabitants. Amongst its prominent public buildings may be enu- 
merate 1 one Church — Baptist — one Public School House, ten Stores, 
one tine Steam Grist 31111, one Steam Saw Mill, two Hotels, two 
Blacksmith Shops, and some of the finest private residences in the 
County. Divine Services and Sabbath Schools every Sabbath, 
speak well for the morals ; and a fine Public Library, consisting of 
a choice selection of about two hundred volumes for the social cul 
ture ; while the Public Improvements made by the efficient City 
Government of the enterprise of the citizens of Forest City. 



D. P. BALLARD, 

ATTORNEY AT LAW, NOTARY PUBLIC 

AND 

GENERAL LAND AGENT, 

MOUND CITY, - - - HOLT CO., MO. 



IL 



Collections made. Taxes paid and lands bought and sold. Fine 
Lands, improved and unimproved, for sale in N. W. IVfissouri 



HOLT COUNTY. 23 

MOUND CITY. 

This Village is located near the centre of the county and three 
and a half miles from the St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad. 
It is surrounded by an exceedingly fertile region of country which 
is well wntered and affords an abundant supply of timber at no 
great distance. The Village is situated at the foot of the Bluff, on 
one side is a cresent shaped bottom, on the other fine rolling Prair- 
ies. The road from White (loud, Kansas, to Marysville, the couur 
ty seat of Nodaway county passes through the Village. 

Lands in the vicinity range in value from five to twenty-five, 
dollars for unimproved and from twelve to thirty dollars per acre 
for improved. 

Mound City has a population of about 150. It contains two 
general Stores, one Cabinet Shop, three Blacksmith Shops, one Mil- 
liner, three Doctors, one Lawj-er, one Hotel and one School House. 
The Methodists, Reformers, and Baptists have each a' Church oi*- 
ganization. A Flouring and Saw Mill, and Carding Machine are 
in contemplation. It is also in contemplation to erect a good High 
School Building, and two Church edifices immediatel}'. 

Mound Cit}' needs a good Harness and Saddle maker; also a 
Shoe maker. Lots range in value from ten to twent3'-five dollars. 
The location is considered healthy, and the character ofthe present 
population is unexceptionable. Information in regard to lands in 
that vicinity ma}^ be obtained by addressing D. P. Ballard, Ksq., 
who will, I have no doubt, cheerfully impart any desired information. 

BIGELOW. 

Bigelow is a new town of only a few months' growth. It is 
located on the line of the St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad, 
three and a half miles West of Mound City, and eleven miles North 
of Forest City. It is on a level bottom prairie, with an abundance 



NOTE BY THE AUTHOR.— Holt County Farmers who visit 

St. Joseph will be interested in visiting the immense Wagon and Carriage Works 
of the 5IE.SSES. Stodebaker Bros , on fourth Street. They have an imraense 
Establishment containing Wagons enough to supply a dozen counties, aud Car- 
riages to furnish an easy conveyance for all the Beaux and Belles of the Platte 
Purchase. Their manufactory has earned a national reputation by putting up 
only the very best work. Give them a call. 

NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY, 

Capital, ^500,000 00. 

OFFICERS.— John B. Helm, Prest, W.H. Meadows, Secy, Wm. K. Haynes, Vice 
President, J. G. Easton, Treasurer. 

DlRKCTdRs.— J. E Carstarpheu, Louisiana, Mo., Thos. Crutcher, Paris, Mo, 
John H. Abshire, Chilicothe, Mo , Geo. Hughes, Liberty, Mo.; John T. Pixson. J. 
J. Johnson, Geo. M. Harrison, Danl. M. Dulany, J. D. Bacon, J. R. Par.^on, Hani- 
bal Mo W. P. ^VIIiKINS, Special Agent. 



24 HOLT COUNTY. 

of excellent timber in the immediate neigliborhood. Tiie adjacent 
country is as fertile as any portion of the West, and when properly 
developed must of itself give Bigelow an important position among 
the tows of Holt County. Bigelow is the nearest station on the 
Railroad to Whig Vallej', in Holt Count}-, and the South-western 
portion of Nodaway County, including the town of Graham ; also 
to Falls City and Rulo in Nebraska. Bigelow was laid out in Oc- 
tober, 1868, and has already grown to quite, respectable dimensions. 
A good Hotel has been erected. There are also two general Stores, 
a Livery Stable, Saloon, and some twelve or fourteen dwelling 
houses. All kinds of Mechanics would do well here, among which 
the following are especially needed : A Cabinet Maker, a Tinner, a 
Harness Maker, Blacksmith, Shoe Maker, and Tailor. This town 
being surrounded by a well populated county, presents a good open- 
ing for almost any kind of Lusiness. There are two tine Saw Mills 
in the immediate vicinity. 

CRAIG. 

Craig is another of the thriving new towns that hp.ve sprung up, 
as if by magic, on the line of the St. Joseph & Council liluffs Kail- 
road. It was laid out a few weeks after Bigelow, at a point be- 
tween the two Tarkios, nine miles above Bigidow, and some four 
or five miles from the North line of the County. 

The location in some respects is the most desirable of any of 
the new Eailroad towns in the County. West, South-west and 
North-west is a fine, fertile and well settled portion of the Missouri 
bottom. The two Tarkios emerge from the bluffs, and enter the 
bottom in the immediate vicinity, and the valleys of both are set- 
tling up with unexampled rapidity, These settlements are con- 
nected with Craig by excellent roads. The town is in the bottom, 
but at a point not snbjecttothe annual overflows, while near enougli 
for town purposes, for private residences on the bluffs at a point 

NOTE. — Persons having claims against the United v'^tates or 
State of Missouri ; Also persons desirous of obtaining Pa^p??ts. or 
any information relative to the same should apply nt once to Par- 
ker & Hedenberg, St. Joseph, Mo., as their facilities Air exceed 
any other Agency in North West Missouri, and we heartil}'' recom- 
mend them to all interested. 

(See aclvertisoment. page 18 of this pamphlet.) 

THE BAPTIST CHURCH, 
FOREST CITY, MO. 

Meets for worship at their Meeting House, on Grand x\ venue, on the First and 
Third Sundays in eafh month, at lOV^. A. M. Sabbath Seliool every Lord's day 
at 9. A. M. Prayer meeting every Wednesday night. 
4®~A11 are cordiaUy invited to attend. 

O. 'W. HUN'TLTCTt', Pastor. 



HOLT COUNTY. 



25 



easily accessible. From the bluff at Craig, there is a magnificent 
view of the bottom for miles, and of portions of Kansas and Nebraska. 
Craig has two general Stores, one Hotel, one Blacksmith Shop, one 
Saloon, one Harness Maker, and a number of other Mechanics. An- 
other liotel and several business houses are now in process of erec- 
tion, or under contract. Eighteen buildings have already been 
erected, and more than that number in addition are under contract. 
It is believed that Craig, from the character of the surrounding 
country, must at no distant day, become one of the most important 
towns in the county. All kinds of Mechanics can find employment 
here, and the immigrant will find good soil, good water, and plenty 
of good timber contiguous. 

There is a fine Flouring and Saw Mill nearly completed, within 
two and a half miles of Craig, owned by C. 5l. Guilliams, Esq. 
This Mill, in all its appointments, is first class, and will be of much 
value to the neighborhood. 

CORNING. 

Corning is the most Northern town in Holt County, and is also 
one of our new Railroad towns. It has in addition to its Railroad 
facilities, a good river landing, which gives to it many advantages 
as a shipping point. Corning is just South of the North line of the 
Count}', six miles North of Craig. The adjacent country is settled 
principally by Germans, who are noted for their thrift and energy. 
Some of the wealthiest citizens of Holt County are German farmers 
in this vicinitj'. Corning will be the chief trading point for a con- 
siderable district in the Northern portion of Holt County, and al^o 
for Irish and English Groves, and Fancy Bottom, in Atchison 
County. Corning was laid out in the Fall of 1868, and is less than 
six months old ; yet it already is doing a large and remunerative bu- 
siness. It contains some twenty buildings, among which may be 
enumerated one Hotel, three Dry Goods Stores, a Saddle, Harness 



MACKOY &, COTTRELL, 

Dealers in 

Staple and Fancy Dry Groods, 

a-:E^ooEi:E^iEs, 

AND ALL KINDS OF COUNTRY PRODUCE. 

Oregon, Holt County, Mo. 



26 



HOLT COUNTY. 



and Shoe Shop, Depot, and a number of substantial dwellings. It 
has a large Lumber Yard, Stock Yards, &c. 

There will l)e a h^rge amount of building done here during the 
present Summer, and the friends of the town believe that it will at 
no distant day become one of the leading shipping points on the 
Railroad. All kinds of Meehinics are needed, and would find 
^profitable employment. The location is flat, as are all the towns 
along the line of the road in this County, except Forest City, butis 
entirely tihove high water. The character of the population of 
the adjoining country is good. 

FORBES. 
Forbes is the name of a Station on the Eaili-oad, in the Sou;^- 
ern portion of the County. Xo town has been laid out here, as yet ; 
but from the fact that North of this point is a fertile and well set- 
tled country, it is not unlikely that quite a village will one day 
spring up here. For fruit raising, no portion of Holt County offers 
better inducements than does the vicinity of Forbes. 

RICHVILLE. 

This is an old village, six miles East of Oregon. It contains 
one Store, a Church building, owned by the Methodists ; and per- 
haps half a dozen residences. The adjoining country is populous 
and fertile. 

WHIG VALLEY. 

Whig Valley is the name of a settlement in the North-eastern 
portion of Holt County, and is one of the most attractive settle- 
ments in the North-west. The population is intelligent and enter- 
prising to an extraordinary degree, wldle the soil, surface, topog- 
raphy and general advantages are all that could be desired. Several 
Schools are in operation. A Farmers' Club holds regular meetings, 
and Church organizations exist, which hold weekl}' meetings for 



HOLT COUNTY NURSERIES, 

OREGON, KOXT COUNTY, MO., 
Greo. P*. Luclvliai'clt, - - I^ropi'letoi*. 

Grows the most liartly and productive fruits, (rejecting all others, )tsueh as Apples, 
Pears, Clierries, Plums, Peaehes, Quinces, Grapevines, Currants, Gooseberries, 
Blackberries. Haspljei'ries and Strawberries. 

Everything warranted true to name, of healthj- growth, and at most reasona- 
ble price.^. 

MANSFIELD, ELLINGWOOD & COo, 

22 THIRD STKEET, ST. JOSEPH, MO,, 

SOLE AGENTS FOR 

Deere's Moline Plows, Brovvn's Corn Planters, Buckeye Reapers 
and Mowers, Threshing Machines, and Patent Spinning Wheels. 

Dealers m Hardware, Iron, Steel and Wagon Material. 



HOLT COUNTT. 27 

worship. This neighborhood is mostly rolling prairie, and its only 
disadvantage is scarctity of timber. Coal, however, has been dis- 
covered near by, in Nodaway County, and it is believed will be 
found in Whig Valley. This Valley lies along the Nodaway river, 
which separates Holt and Nodaway counties This stream is here 
a fine, clear, rapid stream, and will atlcrd an unlimited amount of 
water power. 

A liailroad is in contemplation from Oregon up the Nodaway 
valle}-, through this Settlement ; thence North to (_ larinda, Iowa. 
This Ivoad when completed, would open up to trade one of the 
richest valleys in tlie West, if not in the world. From W hig Val- 
ley Northward it would pass through important coal fields, and 
through considerable bodies of fine timl)er. Whig Valley is well 
watered. Indeed, I doubt if one quarter section can be found in 
the neighborhood without one or more living springs. 

The population of this Valley has more than doubled during 
the past 3ear, and from present judications the increase will con- 
tinue for years to come. Lands in this vicinity unimproved, ore 
worth from ten to twelve dollars per acre. Improved farms are 
hard to buj' at any price, 

FACILITIES FOR WATER TRANSPDRTATiON. 

While the Western and South-western boundary of our County 
for about forty miles, is washed by the Missouri river, yet owing to 
the fact that the wide alluvial bottom of that stream is on the East- 
ern side at this point, we have but three steamboat landings ; and 
they, on account of the frequent changes in the channel of the 
stream, are somewhat uncertain. There is a landing in the neigh- 
borhood of Dallas, in the Soul^h part of the County ; one at a point 
opposite Iowa Point, Kansas ; one opposite White ( loud, Kansas ; 
and one at or near Corning. The Iowa Point landing aftbrds facil- 
ities for transportation to the region of county adjacent to Oregon, 
from which it is some six miles distant. AA'hite Cloud landinu' is 



W. A. MACKOY, 

OREGON, HOLT CO., MO. . 

Dealer in Grain and Stock, 

Having the only Steam Elevator north of the Missouri river he is 
prepared to pay the highest market price for all kinds of grain. 

Having extensive stock yards connected with his elevators, he 
is prepared to buy all kinds of stock. 

S^^Grain and stock handled for other dealers on a liberal 
commissions. 



28 HOLT COUNTY. 

near enough to Forest City and Rush Bottom to afford them ample 
facilities for the shipment of freight. These river landings give 
competition in the carrying trade, and are of great advantage to 
our farmers and business men. 

The Missouri river has not been considered a good stream for 
navigatinp;, in the past. It is full of shoals ; and the quick-sands, of 
which its bed is composed, are constantly shifting. The channel in 
consequence is exceedingly uncertain and dangorous ; but since the 
settlement of the Territories West of us, and the greater number of 
boats that are demanded in the carrying trade, the channel seems to 
be improving, and river men predict that it will continue to im- 
prove. So that we may hope with each succeeding year to derive 
increasedjbenefits from our position in relation to it. 

CHURCHES. 

The religious element in our society is quite strong. Most of 
the denominations known to the Christian world, have representa- 
tives here. It is probable that the North Methodist. — so called here 
to distinguish them from the Methodist Church South — has the 
largest number of communicants, though there is but little differ- 
ence in point of numbers between them and the Baptist. 

The Methodists have two Circuits in the County, embracing a 
membership of about four hundred and fifty persons. They have 
fourteen points where preaching is kept up regularlj- They own 
two Church buildings, the aggregate value of which is $11,000 ; also 
one Parsonage, valued at ^800. This denomination has been in- 
creasing very rapidly since the war. 

The i>aptists have six or seven regularly organized congrega- 
tions in the County, with a membership about the same as the 
Methodists. They own two good, substantial brick Churches, one 
at Forest City and one at Nichol's Grove, and are part proprietors 
of one other. Most of the congregations have been organized since 



LUMBER YARD AT CORNING. 



FERRIS & DRAKE, - - Proprietors. 



15,000 Feet Seasoned Pine Lumber. 

Also a large stock of Lath, Shingles, Sash, Doors, Glass, 
and Building Material Generally. 



HOLT COUNTY. 



29 



the close of the war, under the efforts of Eev. G. W. Huntley, of 
Forest City, who has been unremitting in his labors, since be came 
to the County, some two years since. 

The Methodist Church South have small congregations, at one 
or two |x)ints in the County. 

The Presbj'terians have an active organization at Oregon and 
Forest City ; at the former point thej^ own a good Church edifice, 
and have a large membership. 

The German Methodists have an active organization in the 
County, and own two substantial brick Churches and at least one 
Parsonage. I have been unable to obtain any statistics of their 
organization, but presume they are but little inferior in numbers 
to any of the other denominations. 

The Reformers or Christians have large membership in the 
County, and a number of places where preaching is held regularly. 
They are part owners of one good Church building. 

There are several other denominations in the County, who are 
organized and doing good work, but I have not been able to obtain 
the necessary information to give the facts in regai'd to them, and 
therefore must pass them, 

SABBATH SCHOOLS. 

Good Sabbath Schools are in operation in almost every school 
district, under the control, in many cases, of Union Superintend- 
ents — that is, the different denominations unite in their support. 
In the larger towns, the different denominations control their own 
schools. Our people are as moral and free from rowdyism as any 
people in the West. Gambling, horse-racing and drunkenness are 
not common, while the rights of property and of conscience are res- 
pected. I think I have heard less profanity in our County town 
during a three years' residence, than in any town of its size I have 






AGENT FOR 




WHEELER & WILSON'S 




Awarded the Gold Medal at the Paris Exposition 1867. Every Machine wajranted. 
Send for circular. 



30 HOLT COUNTY. 

ever known ; while I have never heard of an individual who has lost 
his money there by gaming. 

SCHOOLS. 

Missouri has but recently adopted the System of Public Schools 
in use throughout the Eastern States, and our people are as yet to 
some extent unfamiliar with its workings. The School System, 
however, is becoming better known each year, and is therefore con- 
stantly growing more effective as a means for the education of our 
people. 

In 1867, there was paid to Teachers in the County, seven thou- 
sand, nine hundred and thirteen dollars ; while two thousand, six 
hundred dollars were expended in the building and repairing of 
School Houses. The average salary paid to Teachers this 
year, is $31,00 per month — male Teachers averaging S44,00, and 
females about $15,00. We have now School Houses in almost every 
School District in the County. The majority of these are not all 
that could be desired in point of convenience, being old and dilap- 
idated , but new and good School Houses are being erected, and 
the disposition seems to be to have good Schools as soon as proper 
buildings can be erected. 

We have a class of excellent Teachers in this County, many of 
whom have adopted Teaching as a profession. Some of our Tciich- 
ers are equal to the requirements of the best grade of Eastern Public 
Schools. The School term here is only about four months for the 
free Public School, each year. Some Districts, however, levy tax, 
and continue their Schools for a longer period. Good Private 
Schools are common during the period of vacation of the Public 
Schools. We have one very excellent Private Select School at Or- 
egon, which it is hoped will prove the nucleus for a first class edu- 
cational institution at no distant day. Tl:e interest in Education 
is constantly increasing, and at no remote period our Schools will 



STEPHEN, EBERT & CO., Proprietors. 

Pears, Apples, Cherries, Plums, Grapevines, Currants, Gooseberries, Strawberries 
and Osage ()ranfj;e Plants. We are prepared to fill all orders for Fruittrees and 
small Fruits at reduced rates. Our stock will be warranted true to name and in 
good thrifty cfMniition. 

<3i^ro\incls Nortlx of Oregon on State lioacl. 

% 

J. S. HART & CO., 

Manufacturers and 

Dealers in Saddles, Harness, Eta, Etc., 

A full supply of goods in their line constantl}^ on hand. 



HOLT COUNTY. 



31 



be as good as iu any part of the nation. Teachers' Institutes are 
held semi-annually, and much interest is manifested among Parents 
and Teachers, in regard to them. No person need hesitate to come 
here on account of School privileges, as the foundation for a good 
English education can be laid here now, and the Schools will con- 
tinue to improve from year to year, until they will be equal to the 
East, at no distant day. 

OUR POPULATION. 

Holt County contains a population of 10,624, as shown by 
the census taken by our Assessor, last Fall. We have a mixed 
population. There are a few native Missourians, and persons who 
immigrated here from the Southern States before the war; this class 
however, is small. A majority of our population are from the 
Eastern States — i. e. from States East of Missouri. We have also 
a large German element in our population. These Germans are 
principally Farmers, and are as industrious, sober and enterprising 
as any people we have. The political complexion of the County is 
Republican by a large majorit3^ No indication of proscription, how- 
ever, is manifested in private life, so far as I have been able to 
observe. We have a few colored persons in the County, but not 
more than may often be seen in Eastern counties of the same pop- 
ulation. The}' are generally quiet, industrious and inoffensive. 
They have one School at Oregon, in this County. We have very 
little of the rough elements of frontier life in our population ; some 
little, perhaps, in some of our river bottom settlements, yet less 
than usual in so comparatively new a country. Our people are prin- 
cipally engaged in agi-icultural and horticultural pursuits, and are 
emphatically an industrious and sober people. 



T. H. PARRISH, 
ATTORNEY AT LAW, 

Offipe over Zook & Scott's Bank, 

OREGON, - MISSOURI. 

Will attend to all business entrusted to 

his care in North West Missouri 

and Eastern Kasai?. 



E. VANBUSKIRK, 
ATTORNEY AT LAW, 

Real Estate and Collecting Agent, 

Prompt attention given to all business 
entrusted to his care. 



WM. H. SHERMAN, 

ATTORNEY AT LAW, 

ST JOSEPH, MO. 



WM. BUKKER, 
WAGON AND OAERIAGE 

OREGON, - MISSOUEI. 



32 HOLT COUNTY. 

WAGES OF LABORERS. 

It is dificult to give the exact rate of wages in any new country, 
so many circumstances conspire to prevent uniformity. Common 
farm laborers vary from eighteen to thirty Ave dollars per month. 
I presume the average will not vary much from thirty dollars "wet 
and dry," including board and washing. Day labor is more uni- 
form, one dollar and fifty cents per day being the usual price for 
good hands. Mill hands get from one dollar fifty to two fifty, ac- 
cording to their experience. Wood choppers during the winter 
months are in demand and get from one dollar to one dollar and 
twent^'-five cents per cord, they furnishing their own board and 
lodging. Mechanics are better paid of coarse, and in nearly eveiy 
trade can find abundant and steady employment at fair wages. 
From two fifty to three dollars per day is the usual rate at which 
carpenter work is paid by the day, though mo&t mechanical labor 
is done by the job or contract. Board can be obtained at either of 
the Hotels in Oregon for four dollars per week, and good country 
board for from two fifty to three dollars. 

Labor of all kinds is in demand or^ account of the very consid- 
erable immigration now coming in, and it is believed that prices of 
labor will rule higher the coming season than heretofore, 

I shall not attempt to give the wages of the dififerent mechan- 
ical occupations, as they fluctuate constantly as the supply and. de- 
mand deminislies and increases. 

RENT OF LAND. 

Land is rented here usually for grain rent, and one third of the 
grain raised is the usual rate. Some owners of farms demand a 
certain number of bushels per acre as rent, usually fifteen bushels 
of corn. Persons who desire to rent farms must come in the fall, as 
long before spring the demand is so great that the season's engage- 
meitts are all made. 



ARCHITECT, 

Prepares on the most reasonable terms and sends to all portions 
of the country 

SKETCHES, DESIGNS, ELEVATIONS, SECTIONS, 

PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS AND CONTRACTS, 

Isometrical Projections, Prospective Views, Details, Working 

Drawings, and General Drafts, promptly furnished. 
Special attention given to designs for School Houses, Court House 

and Public Buildings. 

Also, Drawings for Store Fittings, Decorations, Parks, Gardens, 

Cemeteries, Monuments, Etc., 

Office, N9. 75 Edmond St., ST. JOSEPH, MO. 



HOLT COUNTY. 33 

ROADS. 

Holt County has neither McAdamized or Fhxnk Kouds, and 
perhaps in no countr}^ in the world are the}' less needed. The un- 
der drainage is so nearly perlect that the roads at almost every 
season of the year, are good. Nothing bat frost will ever produce 
mud. I have seen the roads dry everywhere, after a three days' 
rain, on the second fair day. We only need to have our roads 
graded to make them tie most perfect natural roads in the world. 
Our roads during the late civil war were stidly neglected, bridges 
became out of repair, and deep gullies were washed in almost every 
hillside ; but since the advent of peace they have been gradually 
repaired, until they are in fair condition. We have good material 
for McAdamizing wherever the travel will warrant it. There is at 
the foot of the Missouri blulfs at many points, a layer of excellent 
coarse gravel which is well adapted for all road purposes ; while we 
have an abundance of stone easily broken when ilrst taken from the 
quarry, but which become hard, after exposure ; and makes a most 
excellent roail bed. We have no mirey sloughs such as are found 
in many parts of the West, and which during the Spring months 
make travel a terror to the traveler. Our spring branches may in 
their floods cut out deep gullies in our friable soil, but never get 
mirey, 

HOLT COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

During the past j^ear an Agricultural and Mechanical Society 
has been organized, and last Fall held their first Fair, at their 
Grounds near Oregon. The Exhibition was a success, and the 
Societ}' became permanently established. They own line Grounds, 
and during the present season expect to erect good and permanent 
Elxhibition i:ialls. This is a joint stock Association, and the ma- 
jority of our best and. most substantial Farmers are among its 



DRY GOODS AT MOUND CITY. 



GLENN & GLENN, 

At Mound City, have a full stock of every thing usually 

found in a 

General Dry Goods and Variety Store. 



'a' 



Terms as low as the lowest. Produce exchanged for 

goods. 



34 HOLT COUXTY. 

Stockholders. J. G. Cowan, Esq., is the President, and is one of 
our best Farmers, has done much for our Couuty, in the matter of 
stock importation. He is the owner of a line herd of improved cat- 
tle, among wliich are some of the best thorough bred stock from the 
most celebrated Kentucky and Illinois herds. The Secretary of the 
Society is C. W. Bowman, Esq., of Oregon ; and the Treasurer W. 
A. Mackoy, Esq., of the same place. 

WAMTS OF HOLT COUf^TY. , 

IL is not claimed^ for Holt County that it has no disadvantages. 
It must be remembered that even Eden possessed a forbidden tree, 
and that the Serpent found an entrance. How then can we expect 
to find a country since Adam's expulsion from Paradise, that is 
perfect? 

The North-eastern portions of this County are to a consider- 
able extent, destitute of timber. In some places, lire wood will have 
to be hauled seven or eight miles, to supply any considerable de- 
mand. Fortunately those portions of the (Jounty destitute of timber 
are not distant from the coal mines of Nodaway County, and must 
eventuallj' be supplied with fuel from these Fencing material, of 
course, in the section referred to, is scarce, and the lack must be 
supplied l>iy hedges. Fortunately we have the Osage Orange, which 
with proper care is all that could be desired We liave several 
thousand acres of uncultivated lands that want men to buy and im- 
prove them. We have 3Iill Sites that are unoccupied on all our 
streams that want improvements to be made upon them. We have 
Farmers who are attempting to cultivate three acres where they 
have only capa(nly for the proper cultivation of one. We want men 
to buy them out, and divide these plantations into smaller and 
more manaueable farms. 




IlOL'f COUNTY. 35 

We have no need of Doctors or Lawyers ; already those pro- 
fessions are over crowded, yet men of real al)ility could succeed 
here, as they can anywhere. We have good Physicians, however, 
and a health}' country, while onr Attorneys are up to the standard. 
We need especially more Flouring ^lills. Now a considerable por- 
tion of our breadstntfs must be brought in from other Stales. We 
raise an abundance of grain, which is shipped to distant markets, 
worked up, and shipped back t(\ us. T4iis expensive operation 
should be discontinued, and must be, at no distant day. We need 
a manufactory of Agricultural Implements. Every Plow, KoUer, 
Corn I lanter, or Reaper, used in the County, is now brought from 
distant States. But, it will be asked, will it pay to manufacture in 
Holt County? Page County, Iowa, is nearly destitute of timber, 
has no Railroad facilities or river transportation, and with no greater 
population than ours. Agricultural Implements are manufactured 
there, and it is found to pay. Holt County has an abundance of 
excellent white, burr and chinque-pin oak, excellentl}'^ well adapted 
to the manufacture of Agricultural iVIachinery. We have a Rail- 
road and river to bring to us the iron and steel, and to convey to 
distant markets our manufactured articles. I can see no good 
reason why money could not be made by an Agricultural Imple- 
ment manufactory located here. 

We need Brick makers. At quite a number of points in the 
Count}-, Brick Yards would pay. 

We need, in short, earnest, honest, industrious men in all the av- 
ocations of life ; men who are not afraid of work ; men who will take 
hold of the plow and not look back ; men who will swing the axe 
and use the spade, without fear that by so doing the}- will soil their 
hands or degrade their manhood. We want true men, true women ; 
men and women of generous impulses, noble aspirations.. For all 



Why is St, Joseph the best Wagon market in the United' States ? 

Because ! 

AUSTIN, TOMLINSOH &; WEBSTER, 

Cor. Sixth and Locust Street, . - . St. Joseph, Mo. 

Ten yoars since establislied an Agency for the sale of the Cciehratcd.iarKsnn Wacon. 
They make wagons a speciality and have ample capital which anable.s iliem to 
accumulate and thorouglily season their lumher; while it is a well estal)lished 
fact that tlie neighborhooti of Jackson, Micliitjan — where their manufactory is 
situated— furnishes the best material for wagons of any portion af the country. 
These, witli their other facilities, have enabled tliem twice to reduce the price of 
wagons during the past ten years, conseiiuently every man on the frontier who 
has had tf> purchase a wagon has been directly benefitted. 

During the past I'i months they have added ijlu worth of improvements to 
every wagon they sell which is the equivalent of a reduction in prices to that 
amonnt. 

The Jackson Wagon is now of better proportion, lighter, draft and better ma- 
terial than any other in the market. The work and material in eacli wagon is 
fully warranted. 

We can ami do sell at prices which will allow competitors no proflits. 
Farmerslook to your interests. Buy a Jackson Wagon and thereby save money. 

They are prepared to fill all orders at wholesale or retail. 

Address AUSTIN, TOMLINSON & WEBSTER, 

Or, B. F. LATHROP, Agent, St. Joseph, Mo. 



36 



HOLT COUNTY. 



such, Holt County has a welcome. Here, men are respected for 
their intrinsic worth, more than for any of the circumstances of 
bii'th or position. W^e have no need of Dandies or professional 
Loafers. We have no need of more Saloon keepers, no need of 
men who seek to live iiy their wits. Ouis is an industrious people ; 
they earn what tl'ey consume, and have no alHnity for Loafers. Of 
course we have Loafers, but as few, 1 ventnre to assert, as has any 
other country of the same population in the world. 

Skillful workmen of every mechanical occupation, are needed. 
They can earn good livings here, and if economical and industrious, 
may soon secure for themselves homes among us. 

HOW TO GET HERE. 

Those w"ho live in the States directly East will have the choice 
of three routes, in immigrating to Missouri. From the Southern 
portions of (Jhio, Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky, the best route is 
via St. Louis, and the JS^orth Missouri Railroad to 3Jacon City; 
thence by the Hannibal & St Joseph Eailroad to St. Joseph ; there 
close connection is made with the St. Joseph & Council Blurts iiail- 
road, which runs through Holt County. From the Northern and 
Eastern States, there are two routes open, one via Chicago, and 
thence over the (\ B. & Q. Railroad to Hannibal, and over the Han. 
& St. Josepli Railroad to St. Joseph. Or, via the Great Western 
Railroad to Quiney, thence over the Htmuibal & St. Joseph Rail- 
road to St. Joseph. From Iowa, Minnesota, or Wisconsin, the 
route will be over the North-western Jioad to Council Blurts, thence 
over the Council Bluffs Railroad to any of the Stations in Holt 
County. The Railroads referred to are all first class, and make 
close connections. The fare to St. Soseph from any point East can 
be ascertained at any Railroad Station ; and from St. Joseph to 
Forest City in Holt County, it is but one dollar and fifty cents. 



J. ]^OEL, 

PHYSICIAN, 

COMING.HOLTCOmMO. 



WM. HA',VKINS, 
Confectionery, Toys, Oakes, 

Pies, Cheese, Crackers, &c., 

South side Public Square, 
OREGON, - MISSOURI, 



STRANGER STOP AND READ I 



The celebrated Bain Wagon, For sale at 

E. B.i^IISr'S "V^J^OOiN" IDEr^OT, 
SIXTH STREET, ST. JOSEPH, MO. 

"Written. "Wa-ri'antoes Oi-veii. 

lf.iVCXOR,V, liKlVOSH^. "WIS. 

S. K,l±.Y]SrOL.i:)S», .^^.gexit. 



HOLT COUNTY. 37 

AN INVITATION. 

Holt County extends to the Immigrant a most cordial wel- 
come. Honest men in whatever position in life will lind themselves 
received with cordiality and kindness. We want new comers, and 
reject no man who is willing to do his part in the work of settling 
up this, a comparatively new country. Men who have good homes 
and established business connections elsewhere, are not advised to 
sever those connections for the sake of establishing new connections 
here. But all who are designing to Emmigrate are invited to visit 
Holt County before settling. Let them come and stay long enough 
to post themselves thoroughl}' in regard to our soil, and the advan- 
tages we possess, and in nine cases out of ten they will cast their 
lot among us. 

Fortunes cannot be made in Holt Count^^ without labor or cap- 
ital. Men who do work, or who will make ordinaril}^ judicious in- 
vestments of their capital, will find no difficulty in making money. 
Our County has increased in population about one hundred per cent 
during tlie past two years, and the increase will doubtless be equal 
or greater, during the next two years. Lands will increase in value 
in the same ratio. Men who buy ten dollar lauds this Spring may 
confidently rely on an appreciation to fifteen or twenty during the 
next two years. 

Town property in almost any of our towns will probably in- 
crease in the same ratio M'ith farming lands. We have no town in 
Holt County to-day that is not behind the country, i. e. the County 
is populous enough to support double the population now in each of 
the towns of the County. 

To the Vineyardist and Fruit Grower, we have this to say : 
You can find no section of Missouri where fruit — except Peaches — 
is so sure a crop, and where prices average so high. The market 



J. R. AVILLIS. P. M. WILLIS. 

Dealers in Grain k Agricultural Implements 

Corn Exchange Building, Mcssanie, bet. 7tli & 8th.. ST. JOSEPH, MO. 

Agents for the Rock Island Plow; the Champion Reaper and Mower; the Tor- 
nado Thresher ; Also, for the World and Ohio Reapers aud Mowers. 
VVe keep on hand Planters, Shelters, &c. 

MILLINERY AND MILLINERY GOODS. 



MRS. J. CURRY, - - OREGON, MO. 



A select and fashionable stock constantly on hand. 
First door South of Sentinel Office. 



38 HOLT COUNTY. 

is not declining, but is and will continue to grow better each j^ear, 
as the rich prairies of Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska become settled. 

To the Farmer, we offer rich soil, good markets, and every ad- 
vantage he could expect to find in a new country, with many of the 
advantages of older countries. 

To all classes we offer a cordial and hearty welcome. Come 
and look for yourselves, is all we ask. 



^ > ^ » ^ 



A New Paper. — Since putting the first pages of this pamphlet 
to press, another newspaper has been established at Forest City? 
under the editorial management of its publisher, Mr. Thos. II, 
Frame. 

Mr. Frame will publish a first class paper, under the title of 
th "Holt County Journal." It will be Democratic in politics. 
Mr. Frame is an old newspaper manager and will without doubt 
make his Journal a success. He promises to devote a great deal of 
his space to the local interests of the county. This enterprise will 
be of great value to Forest City as well as to the county at large, 
and we bespeak for him a liberal patronage. 



An Omisson. — In the advertisement of Messrs, Bender & Mar- 
kle, in another portion of this pamphlet, the locution of the firm 
was omitted. They will be found on Felix Street, opposite the St. 
Joseph Daily Union Office, St. Joseph, Mo. 



j^ CHi^i^a-E oip ifii^^im:. 



Since this pamphlet has been in press a change has occurred in the 
proprietorship of 

THE HOLT COUNTY SENTINEL. 
A. N. KULY, is now sole Editor and Proprietor. 

The Sentinel will continue as heretofore an exponent of sound 
Radical doctrines. 

Mr. Ruly intends devoting especial attention to the local inter- 
ests of Holt County. 



HOLT COUNTY. 39 

HOLT COUNTY OFFICIAL DIRECTORY. 



JOHN H. GLENN, Representative. 
ALBERT ROECKER, Sheriff, Oregon, Mo. 
E. L. ALLEN, Circuit Clerk, Oregon, Mo. 
W. B. DAVIS, County Clerk, Oregon, Mo. 
M. LAHMER, County Judge. 
GEO. P. SKEELS, " " 

GEO. McINTYRE, " 
WM. BASKINS, County Treasurer, 
J. J. INGRAHAM, County Assessor. 
JASON MARSHAL, County Surveyor. 
S. BLANCHARD, School Superintendent. 
FRANK M. DAVIS, Eoad Commissioner. 
T, C. DUNGAN, County Attorney. 

The Circuit Clerk is Ex-Officio Recorder. We have no Probate 
Court, that business being in the hands of the County Court. 



DISTRICT OFFICERS. 

JOEL F. ASPER, 'Member of Congress, Chillicothe, Mo. 
I. C. PARKER, Circuit Judge, St. Joseph, Mo. 
B. K. DAVIS, District Attorney, Maryville, Mo. 
M. G. ROSEBERY, State Senator, Maryville, Mo. 



SAINT JOSEPH HERALD, 



PUBLISHED BY WILKINSON & POSEGATE. 



OLDEST PAPER IN NORTH-WEST MO. 



True to Liberty, Loyalty, Humanity and the Spirit of 

Progress. 



TERMS.— Weekly, per year, $1 50. 

Daily, per year, 9 00. 



40 HOLT COUNTY. 



TO THE PUBLIC. 



The author desires to say to the citizens of North-west Missouri 
that he has determined — encouraged by the success he has met in 
his "Description of Holt County" — to continue the work until he 
shall have described in the same manner each of the Counties of 
the Platte Purchase. His aim in this Pamphlet has been Accuracy. 
No attempt at fine writing has been made. My design has been to 
give an answer to CA'ery question an Emmigrant might desire to ask, 
and to answer each question so accurately that it could not be ob- 
jected to, should the Emmigrant become a citizen of the Count}'. 

I shall endeavor to do the same work with the same degree of 
faithfulness and accuracy for each of the Counties of the Platte 
Purchase. 

My next Pamphlet will be for Andrew Count}-, and will consist 
of a Pamphlet uniform with this, of not less than fortj^ pages, and 
I will print at least twenty-five hundred copies. These copies will 
be circulated among my advertisers, and among the people of that 
County. This will be a better medium for advertising in Andrew 
Count}' for a single edition, than any other that now exists. I shall 
have for sale copies of each of my Pamphlets, which I will mail to 
any address, on receipt of twenty cents. Or will furnish ten or 
more copies to one address for fifteen cents each. Persons desiring 
to insert advertisements, will address for terms : 

A. M. SWAN, 
Oregon, Holt County, Mo. 

N. B. — ^ly Andrew County "Work will commence immediately. 

A. M. S. 



T. I. KREEK & CO., 

GENERAL DRY GOODS 

Clothing, Groceries, Clocks, Queensware, 

BOOTS, SSIOES, ETO., 
.^T LO>T EST C^SH I^U^IOES- 

^P" All kinds of Country Produce bought at highest market rates. 
Fair deal, good wares, and good treatment is our motto. 

South side Public Square, 
OREGON, MO. 

PATRONIZE YOUR COUNTY PAPER! 



olt bounty lournaL 

PUBLISHED AT 



THOS. H. FRAME & BRO., Editors and Proprietors. 



TEEMS, $2 00 PER YEAR, IN ADVANCE. 

The Journal is a firm and eonsistaut Democratic organ, endeav- 
oring at all times to guard the liberties of the people against schem- 
ing and unprincipled demagogues. It will work vigorously for tke 
growth and prosperity of the county and will be literally a county 
paper. 

DAVIESS COUNTY TORCHLIGHT^ 

GALLATIN, MO. 

THOS. H. FRAME & BRO., Editors and Proprietors. 



Terms — $1 50 a year, in advance. Advertising at reasonable rates. 



-CHEAP LANDS FOR SALE BY T. C. DUNGAN. 



d I T. C. DUNGAN, 

REAL ESTATE AGENT 



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I- HAVING COMPLETED A FULL SET OF PLATS AND 
2 MAPS OF HOLT COUNTY ; ALSO, ABSTRACTS 

!r" OF TITLES, MY FACH^ITIES FOR TRANS- 

i}l ACTING REAL ESTATE BUSINESS 

i5 ARE UNSURPASSED. 



coisr"V"E"^.A.isrc eie^, 
OREGfON, HOLT COUNTY, MISSOURI. 



K MY LISTS OF LAND FOR SALE EMBRACE SEVERAL I J 

=) _ ._ _ 1=0 

O 

o 



FINE IMPROVED FARMS, $ 



,^ AS WELL AS MANY OF THE MOST DESIRABLE 
1 1 TRACTS OF LANDS IN THE COUNTY. 

jP My abstracts are the only ones in the County, therefore my j q 

facilities lor furnishing information in relation to Holt County ; ^ 

Q lands are better than any other person's. < 

\CC aS"I devote special attention to the payment of TAXES, i-edeeming _, 

j < lands sold for taxes, &c. I ^ 

UJ Information furnished to persons desiring to immigrate. c 

i HiC^^L. KST^V'riG BOUOH.T ^Nl> SOLD. ^ 

'— Oi 

I T. o. 3DXj:isra--^n^T, ■ 5 

ATTORNEY AT LAW, NOTARY PUBllC 



I- 

< 

OREGON, HOLT COUNTY, MO., 



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OFFICE, :]Sr01^TH«1131£ P*UUL1C!SQXJ^R.E:. I 2 



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Collecting attended to at liberal rates, and remittances 

promptly made. 



BUY LANDS AND MAKE YOURSELF A HOME. 



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